Bill Maynard

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Wolf Photography Tour

For wildlife photographers seeking the opportunity to observe and capture images of wild wolves the Great Bear Rainforest experience tops them all.

Your guide, Tim Irvin, has a Master’s Degree in ecology and has partnered with local First Nations guide, Marven Robinson.  Both Tim and Marven have spent years getting to know the territory and habits of a local sea wolf pack.

While wolves can be elusive, Tim and Marven have a very high success rate having seen wolves on every expedition since they began offering the tour in 2017.

Photography Guides: Tim Irvin and Marven Robinson
What to Bring

Lens Selection

A long lens (400mm and up), a wide angle and everything in between is what I recommend for this Wolf photography tour.  Every wolf encounter is different and while close up shots are readily available, I encourage you to take full advantage of the the landscape for environmental shots. Having a variety of focal lengths will ensure you’re ready for any given situation.

Here’s my recommended kit for reference:

  • 500-600mm F4
  • 100-400mm
  • 70-200mm
  • 16-35
  • 1.4 extender
  • 2 camera bodies
  • Tripod

Clothing

The following is a list of the clothing you will need for your Wolf photography workshop adventure. The weather along the BC North Coast varies greatly from cold and rain to warm and sunny and everything in between.  Proper clothing is essential for your comfort and enjoyment during the trip.  We will be camping and shooting for long periods of time in all weather.  When selecting your clothing, keep in mind the following principles about staying warm and dry.

Layering. It is very effective to wear layers of clothing to stay warm, as the air trapped between the layers acts as an insulator. Layering also allows you to regulate your body heat by adjusting the number of layers, depending on the temperature and your activity level.  There are 3 main layers: Transfer which is the layer next to your skin; Insulating which is the main warmth layer(s); and, Protective which is the outer layer to protect you from wind, rain, and other elements.

Keeping Dry. Wetness increases the loss of body heat and is uncomfortable, so it’s important to stay as dry as possible. Some clothing is hydrophobic, and therefore, stays dry (i.e., synthetics such as polypropylene, polyester, capilene, and natural fibres such as wool and silk).Clothes made of these materials make great expedition clothing. Be careful of other materials (e.g., cotton and down), because they are absorbent and stay wet. Also, avoid overdressing as it can cause excess perspiration and therefore wetness.

Your Camera Gear:

If you wish to discuss specifics regarding which camera bodies and lenses you own and which ones are best suited to the trip, your photography guide will be happy to discuss that with you.

On the trip, your camera gear is best kept in a waterproof case or pack. It is crucial to keep gear dry while sitting in the rain. We strongly encourage you invest in a rainproof cover for your camera – both AquaTech and Think Tank Photo make excellent models that fit most cameras.

We encourage you to bring plenty of memory cards and/or ample hard-drive space or storage devices – the area is exceptionally photogenic and you may easily experience once-in-a-lifetime scenes. No drones allowed!

A sturdy tripod is recommended for long telephoto lenses.

What’s Included

What’s Included:

  • Your wolf photography workshop includes 6 or7 full days of shooting
  • All boat transportation from Prince Rupert to our camp, return.
  • Food and accommodation
  • Expert local guide

 

  • Not Included:
  • Flights to Prince Rupert
  • Food and Accommodations in Prince Rupert

 

 

Travel Details

Our camp is located on boats to consolidate the human presence and reduce our impact on the wolves.  The only good places to pitch tents interfere with wolf travel corridors. This is why we do not allow people to bring their own tents – it is too much of an imposition on the animals.

Sleeping accommodations are in a communal plywood cabin outfitted with bunks. There is a second communal cabin for meals, relaxing and downloading photos. There are chemical toilets in our camp, but there are no showers.

Guests need to bring a sleeping bag, and anything else they need to sleep comfortably (We will provide a packing list).

Location

We will focus most of our time in a location where we are familiar with the local wolf pack.  However, to protect the wolves, we will not reveal the specific places we will go. What we can tell you is that these are island-dwelling wolves.

The islands we will visit are part of the outer coast of British Columbia’s archipelago. They are home to ecosystems not found on the mainland. They are also home to wolves that make much of their living from the sea. There are no bears on the outer islands, so wolves have no competition as the top carnivores here.

Overview

On these 6 and 7-Day expeditions, we will delve into the fascinating world of the coastal wolf. This adventure is specifically designed to provide you with the best possible opportunities for watching and photographing these elusive and beautiful carnivores and learning about their ecology. It is also an opportunity to camp out close to nature and immerse yourself in a wild corner of the Great Bear Rainforest that few people ever witness.

Expectations

Although the coast of British Columbia is a wildlife haven, the reason we are successful on these expeditions is that we focus specifically on wolves. Immersing ourselves in their world is the best way to increase our chances of success. Nonetheless, we can also expect to see a lot of birdlife including ospreys, sandhill cranes, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and a host of shorebirds, all set within a backdrop of a beautiful and unique coastal landscape.

 

Dates and Cost

Your Wolf Photography Tour Adventure Awaits 

2025 Dates Coming Soon – Inquire to have your name added to the list

Tim will contact you with trip details and dates as soon as they are announced

Maximum 6 guests per trip

Cost:

All payments are in Canadian dollars. A $1500 deposit is required to secure your spot.

6-Day expeditions – $6,609 + 5% GST + $100 First Nation Stewardship fee
7-Day expeditions – $7,550 + 5% GST + $100 First Nation Stewardship fee

Cancellation Policy

Final payment will be due 60 days prior to trip departure. All deposits and payments are non-refundable, unless, upon cancellation, we are able to fill your spot.

 

Testimonials

Simply put, this trip was truly a once in a lifetime experience. From the remote location to everyone involved. It will forever hold a place close to my heart. I feel extremely fortunate for the opportunity and couldn’t thank everyone enough for the wonderful time. I wouldn’t change a single minute of it. Thank you again Tim, Marven and the entire crew.

Taylor Thomas Albright

I went out to this wolf expedition facing the unknown into the wild pretty much out of nowhere and I would say I was not disappointed at all. Everyone on the crew worked hard to accommodate all our needs. The guides knowledge and experience made our trip an unforgettable one. In the end was an incredible and unforgettable journey into the wild which will haunt you for the rest of our life. I took with me a piece of that place and keep it close to my heart with hope I will be able to return again. For people who seek the unknown and the adventure I will strongly recommend this trip.

Catalin Tapardel

The Coastal Wolves Expedition vastly exceeded my wildest expectations. We were fortunate to have daily (sometimes fleeting) wolf sightings which I am sure was a rarity for these coastal wolves. But what wonderful encounters! As expected, the “boatel” accommodations are rustic, but sufficient. Prepared daily meals were tasty and plentiful. Recommended for an adventure!

E. Knepper

An excellent tour in the wilds of the remote BC north coast with a rare chance to spend time in the magical world of the elusive BC Coastal wolves.

H.J.

Get In Touch

Interested in this Wolf Photography Tour, giving us feedback or perhaps putting together a private, custom adventure?

Whatever the case, please use the short form below to get the conversation started.

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